Mari Selvaraj is an acclaimed Indian filmmaker and writer active in the Tamil film industry. He collaborated with actor Dhanush on the movie “Karnan” (2021), receiving widespread praise. The film achieved remarkable box office success and was regarded as one of the top-grossing movies of 2021.
Wiki/Biography
Mari Selvaraj was born on Wednesday, 7 March 1984 (age 39; as of 2023) in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Weight (approx.): 64 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Mari Selvaraj with actor Dhanush
Family
Parents & Siblings
Mari Selvaraj hails from a middle-class family background, and there is limited knowledge about his parents. He has a younger brother named Siva Selvaraj, who is currently employed as a teacher in a government school located in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Mari Selvaraj with his family
Wife & Children
Mari Selvaraj married Divya on 6 July 2016, and while there isn’t much public information about their married life, the couple has been blessed with two children – an older daughter and a baby boy who was born in the year 2021.
Mari Selvaraj with his wife and children
Career
Film
In 2006, Mari Selvaraj made his entry into the Tamil film industry. While his initial aspiration was to pursue acting, he shifted course and became an assistant director for filmmaker Ram, contributing to the making of three movies: “Kattradhu Thamizh” (2007), “Thanga Meenkal” (2013), and “Taramani” (2017). In 2018, he marked his directorial debut with “Pariyerum Perumal”, a movie that received high praise and emerged as one of the standout films of the year.
Poster of Mari’s directorial debut film- Pariyerum Perumal
His second directorial venture, “Karnan”, featuring Dhanush, was met with enthusiastic acclaim from both audiences and critics. The film “Karnan” resonated on both artistic and political levels, connecting universally.
Poster of the film- Karnan
In the year 2023, Mari Selvaraj teamed up with producer Udhayanidhi Stalin for a film project titled “Maamannan.” The movie features a diverse cast, including Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil, Keerthy Suresh, and Udhayanidhi Stalin himself. “Maamannan” was released on 29 June 2023, and garnered favorable feedback from reviewers.
Poster of the film- Maamannan
Other works
“Marakkave Ninaikkiren” is a series featured in the Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan written by Mari Selvaraj. His debut work of fiction is the collection of short stories titled “Thamirabaraniyil Kollapadathavargal,” which was published in 2013 by Vamsi Pathipagam.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- Behindwoods Gold Medal (16 December 2018) – Best Director for Pariyerum Perumal.
- 16th Chennai International Film Festival (20 December 2018) – Best Tamil Feature for Pariyerum Perumal.
- Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards (5 January 2019) – Best Story and Best Director for Pariyerum Perumal.
- Film Critics Circle of India (15 April 2019) – Award for Best Debut Film for Pariyerum Perumal.
- Toulouse Indian Film Festival (28 April 2019) – Audience Award, Independent Critic Award, Jury Award for Pariyerum Perumal.
- Galatta Debutant Awards (25 January 2019) – Best Debutant Director and Best Debutant Dialogue Writer for Pariyerum Perumal.
Facts/Trivia
- Selvaraj initially aspired to become an actor but eventually found his passion in filmmaking.
- Mari Selvaraj’s movies, notably “Pariyerum Perumal” and “Karnan,” have received praise for their courageous examination of caste-based discrimination and societal inequalities. These films have illuminated the challenges endured by marginalized groups in India. Nevertheless, certain individuals and collectives have raised concerns about Mari Selvaraj possibly reinforcing caste biases or advocating specific ideologies through his films. In an interview conducted as part of his film promotion, Mari Selvaraj allegedly refuted these accusations, asserting that they were entirely baseless and untrue.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
